Seiko Credor Phoenix Automatic

 

by

 

Wayne Lee

 

 

 

 

 

I bought this watch after a long thought.   I fell in love with the watch at first sight when I saw it in Credor’s homepage.  However, I hestitated because I was concerned with the following issues:

 

1.                Is the watch worth that money I am going to pay for (180,000 yen)?

2.                How well is its time-keeping ability (my main concern with non-chronometer automatics)?

3.                Should I wait a bit longer, so that I will have enough money to buy a Grand Seiko, or should I go for the Credor now?

 

Of course, as a WIS, I have that ‘to buy or not to buy’ thing going on in my head for weeks, before I woke up on one beautiful Wednesday morning and tell myself – “Hey Wayne, go for it!   If Seiko is selling it for that price tag, it definitely must worth that much of money (of course, I have complete faith in Seiko)!”.

 

Thus, I sent my friend Mr. Katsu Higuchi an email to ask him whether he has one for sale.  The next thing I remembered was I faxed him my Visa card info and got an email from Katsu that afternoon that the watch has been sent out to me.

 

It took 4 days for the watch to arrive to me (should have been faster because Japan and Malaysia is only about 6 – 7 hours by flight).  Nevertheless, the watch arrived to my house when I was at work.  My wife did not bother to call me at work this time as she was then at the later stage of her pregnancy.

 

 

When I came back that evening, I was so excited to find the package on my work desk.  As I opened the package, I found a finely-made watch box written with the word ‘Credor Seiko’.   A beautiful little gem was soon unraveled before my eyes.  This is the first time I have ever seen a Japanese watch which demonstrated such a fine workmanship such as Minerva and Jaeger le Coultre.

 

 

The watch has a 37 mm case diameter and 11 mm in thickness.  The crystal is made from sapphire with a magnifying portion for the date window.  The hour and minute hands are arrow-like in appearance and the second hand has a luminous red end-tip.  The luminousity of this watch is superb.  An exposure for less than 20 sec to the light will leave the indexes and hands brightly glow for at least 5  - 6 hours in the dark.

 

 

The engravement on the caseback was nicely done.  At the center, there is an engravement of a phoenix.  It is also indicated that the watch is water resistant up to 10 bar (= 100 m).  It would be perfect if it comes with a see-through caseback which displays the beautiful Seiko caliber 8L75 movement with 26 jewels.  The movement can be manually wound.

 

 

 

The stainless steel case is finely polished with brushed front face of the lugs.   The crown can be screwed down and nicely set between the crown guards. 

 

 

 

The brushed stainless steel bracelet comes with a double-lock.  The side of the bracelet was finely polished though.  The Credor symbol was engraved on the clasp.  The bracelet is comfortable to be worn on.

 

 

 

As with any other watches that I have bought and reviewed earlier, accuracy is one important factor that I am always concerned of.  It runs about +5 sec/day (at 1^st week) to +3 sec/day (after 1 month).  I do not wear it often, but always give 7 – 8 swings every morning to keep it going.  Of course the accuracy is astounding.  It also fulfils Seiko claim in the specification that its accuracy will fall between –10 sec to +15 sec/day.

 

 

One thing that I must really mention in this review is the instruction manual.  I was so surprised to find that Seiko has put a good effort to come with a very detailed manual (25 pages of Japanese instructions and another 23 pages of English instructions). 
What I like most about the manual is it is specifically meant for this watch, and not a general booklet (all-in-one) that we used to see in most Japanese watches and some Swiss watch manuals.  This definitely is a major improvement in Seiko efforts to market the Credor to match the high end Swiss watch market.   Information given in the manual including:

·        How to use the automatic mechanical watch.

·        Time-date setting.

·        Intercalary second (Leap second).

·        Care of your watch (including how to clean the bracelet).

·        Rash and allergy.

·        Places to keep your watch.

·        Water resistance.

·        Lumibrite.

·        Periodic check.

·        Trouble shooting.

·        Remarks on after-sales servicing and guarantee.

·        Specifications.

 

In addition to the manual, it also comes with a pamphlet in Japanese on how to prevent rash and allergy, and the correct way to wear the watch (not too tight……..bla-bla…..) and how to take care of the watch.

 

 

About 2 weeks ago, I was thinking of selling the Credor Phoenix.  Not because of its inferiority (you guys are looking at one of the best Japanese watch ever made), but because I want to have more cash in hand for rainy day (my daughter was born about 20 days ago).  Although I have corresponded with a few interested parties, after much thought, I decided to keep this very fine watch, and to sell off my Minerva Palladio Nostalgia and Omega Speedmaster Automatic.

 

Coming back to my concerns before I bought the watch, I think it definitely worth the money I have paid for and of course its accuracy is just superb. 

 

Lastly for those of you who are looking for an in-house movement Japanese watch with Swiss fine craftsmanship, but at a fraction of the Grand Seiko, then Seiko Credor Phoenix is definitely your cup of tea.  Please email me if you want to know more about this watch, coz’ I ain’t selling it, at least for the next few months to come !

 

Thank you for reading my review.  Have a great day!

 

 

5 August 2000.